IN YOUR GARDEN: Lovely wisteria

One of our most long-lived and reliable vines is the wisteria. It is colorful, versatile, fast growing, and easy to care for. Trained over an arbor or trellis with its long clusters of fragrant flowers almost covering the plant, it is truly a glorious sight.?

Wisteria can be grown as either a vine or a small tree. It can be trained to a variety of supports for use against a wall, fence, trellis or arbor. The important thing is that the supports are strong. As wisteria grows, it develops a trunk that may become 6 to 12 inches in diameter with age, sometimes outliving and replacing its support. The vining branches also become large and woody with age. They can be supported on trellises, hung from eaves (though they will try to creep into the house), espaliered on a fence or allowed to climb a tree.?

Wisteria can also be trained to a "standard"--a freestanding tree shape--when young, and can be purchased in this form. Plant them with a strong stake or pipe to secure the trunk. They need to be pruned heavily each winter and have the long shoots removed through the summer to keep them from becoming vines.

There are two types of wisteria: Chinese and Japanese. The Chinese is the more common with 12-inch flower clusters that open all at once, before the vine begins to leaf-out. The Japanese wisteria has very long clusters, 18 to 36 inches, and the flowers open in succession giving a longer, but less spectacular, bloom as the leaves are developing. The Japanese wisteria has very fragrant flowers, and the Chinese have a mildly sweet fragrance. Chinese wisteria will bloom in considerable shade while Japanese wisteria prefer full sun.

"Cooke's Purple" is a Chinese variety that is one of the most floriferous with long flower clusters that give some repeat bloom in the summer. "Rosea Beni Fuji" wisteria has large, beautiful chains of pink blossoms that bloom best in full sun.

"Black Dragon" is a Japanese wisteria with long chains of fragrant white and lavender flowers with purple overtones. It is outstanding in bloom. "Longissima Alba" is an impressive sight with its pure white flowers that cascade in spikes up to 4 feet long. This vigorous vine blooms best in full sun.

Under normal conditions wisteria should bloom every spring. Sometimes a hard, late frost will kill the flower buds and lessen the bloom. Grafted plants should bloom within two years of planting. Plants which are grown from seed may take up to 10 years to bloom.?

Wisteria come as bare root plants, either as vines or as standards. Spring is a good time to plant them. Wisteria is difficult to move once established, so it is important to plant where it can remain undisturbed. Be sure to provide support immediately.

Severe pruning, if needed, is done during the winter dormant season. Some summer pruning can be done to help control the rampant growth of the vines. Cut the leader vines back to the desired length, then prune the side shoots, those growing from the main leaders, back to the second or third dormant bud. These short spurs will produce the flowers.

Wisteria thrives on a certain amount of neglect. Don't let them droop from lack of water, but don't overwater or over-fertilize them. The best time to feed them is in late winter or mid-spring. The roots are quite robust and over a period of time may find their own source of moisture.?

Select plants now to enjoy the beauty of wisteria rambling over your fence or pergola each spring.